Bradenton Wawa site approved

The first Wawa gas station and convenience store in Southwest Florida is one step closer to opening.

The Bradenton City Council approved plans on Wednesday for Wawa to build on the site of a former Eckerd Drugs store at 4455 State Road 64. It is unclear at this time when construction will begin.

The Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain has been aggressively expanding throughout Florida, with plans to open a dozen stores in the Orlando and Tampa markets in 2012 and into this year. Many Florida-based retail developers confirmed Wawa’s hefty expansion plans during the 2013 International Council of Shopping Centers Recon convention in Las Vegas last month, where developers, mall builders and retailers met to discuss new projects and sign leases.

Wawa is known for its cheap gas and restaurant-quality sandwich bar, fresh salads, breakfast bowls, signature coffees and smoothies, among other items not commonly seen at most major convenience store. The stores still carry traditional convenience store goods too, such as drinks, snacks and cigarettes.

Wawa submitted an application to the city of Bradenton on April 15 looking to build on the site of a former Eckerd Drugs store which has been vacant for many years. The planning commission approved the permit request shortly after.

No announcements have been made about opening a Sarasota location yet.

Photo by Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.